“We’re in this together,” said Hakon. “Together, we can face whatever storms may come.” He stepped forwards and folded his arms around her, holding her head to his chest. “So now, my love,” said Hakon, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes, “tell me of your news.”
All the information that had been driven from Sif’s mind by Hakon’s loving discipline came flooding back.
“The enemy has a face, Hakon!” Sif gasped. “It’s the Skraelings! They have burned Sigtuna and are making their way to Gotland!”
Hakon narrowed his eyes, processing this information. Dread rose up in him. His whole life, he had heard stories of the terrible and savage people of the far North. The only thing that had saved the civilized peoples was that the Skraelings hated each other just a little more than they hated everyone else.
“‘When the Skraelings break bread, let the world dread,’” Hakon muttered.
“Indeed,” said Sif. “It appears that the Skraelings have sat down and broken bread with each other and formed some kind of unity. Now they come for us.”
“How do you know this?” asked Hakon.
“From Baedi. The Sisters can see far and wide, although their vision has been clouded much of late. They have seen the sacking of Sigtuna, and that a fleet of Skraeling reavers is set to fall upon Visby.”
“Gods.” Hakon sat down on the trunk next to Sif. “Do the Sisters have any counsel as to what we should do?”
“Baedi advises that we go to Visby, talk to the Jarl of Gotland, and persuade him to raise his defenses. The Sisters themselves will be arriving in two days to lend their strength to the defense of the city.”
“They’re leaving the Ironwood?” said Hakon, shocked.
“They’ve already left. There will be no place for the Ironwood to hide if the forests are burned down around their ears,” replied Sif grimly.
Hakon took a few moments to gather his thoughts.Leaving the Ironwood!Such a thing had never happened. Somehow, this impressed the gravity of thesituation upon Hakon in a way that nothing else could have. He looked at Sif and felt his love for her rise in his heart.With my lady by my side, all things are possible.
“Come,” he said, getting to his feet and extending a hand to Sif. “We must tell my brother and his foster family. We have much work in front of us.”
Sif looked at him wryly. “It was not me who put the world on pause for the sake of teaching me a lesson.”
Hakon looked at her in such a way that caused Sif to blush and look at the ground.
“Sif, my dear heart,” he said gravely, “you are far too important to me for me to neglect you. The world could be falling around our ears, butyouwill be my priority.” His love and desire for Sif swept up inside him once more, and Hakon seized her in his arms, kissing her deeply. Her lips parted and let him in, and he plundered her mouth, long and slow. Finally, their mouths parted and Hakon gave Sif one last kiss on the top of her head.
“Come,” he said.
***
Thorulf and Ignetha took the news stoically.
“I could feel the world begin to turn and knew things would not end with strange skies,” said Thorulf.
“I cannot believe the Sisters are on the move,” said Ignetha. “If nothing else were to signal a coming disaster, that would be enough.”
“Let’s hope the Jarl feels the same way,” said Hakon. “Who is the Jarl these days?”
“That would be Jarl Birger,” replied Thorulf.
“Still?” asked Gunnar, raising his eyebrows.
“A cautious fellow, who has lengthened his rule by seeing how others act before he commits himself,” observed Thorulf. “It will be a challenge to get him moving, but he is no coward.” The homesteader got to his feet. “Ignetha, we will not be safe here. We must prepare to move within the walls of the city. Breca, Ulf, your mother will need strong arms to help her make things ready.”
The twins looked at each other and nodded. “Where will you go, Father?” asked Ulf.
“Our lives depend on convincing Jarl Birger to act swiftly, which is something against his nature,” replied Thorulf. “I go to add my voice, as someone the Jarl knows, at least.”
“May the gods give power to your words,” said Ignetha fervently.
Thorulf smiled. “If they so choose.”
